Thanks to this post by the FDA:
"Cats are curious creatures by nature. They love to play, jump, and roam around the house, but sometimes their inquisitive personalities get the best of them. As the plastic eggs filled with candy and the baskets of colorful plastic grass leave the store and enter your home, it’s important to remember that these items can be dangerous for our feline friends.
It’s also important to remember that while lilies, a common household plant, are lovely to see and smell, they are still a safety threat for our cats. The entire lily plant (leaf, pollen, and flower) is considered to be toxic for cats. If you have lilies in your home this Easter, make sure that you’re cat doesn’t eat any part of the plants.
Symptoms of lily toxicity in cats include lethargy (decreased activity), vomiting, and loss of appetite. These symptoms worsen as the kidney damage progresses, leading to death. Early veterinary treatment is critical. If you suspect that your cat has eaten any part of a lily or its pollen, call your veterinarian immediately.
Holidays are times to celebrate with friends and family. Your feline friends want to celebrate with you. Please do your part to “cat-proof” your home in order to keep them safe this holiday season. "
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm206751.htm
As a cat owner myself this information is invaluable. The more knowledge you have the better off you and your feline can be. I know now to keep these holiday plants away from my BabyCat.
Life's Abundance Dog Food Independent Field Representative posts about dog nutrition, premium products for canines, news and latest updates about dog health.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Probiotics and Your Pet
From the Life's Abundance March 2010 Newsletter, Dr. Jane (product formulator) explains probiotics in our food:
"Our exclusive formulas contain multiple types of direct fed microbials, all of which are guaranteed to be viable after cooking so they can take up “residence” in the GALT (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue) . To protect these beneficial bacteria, we micro-encapsulate the direct fed microbials prior to cooking our foods. This process ensures that they will survive in order to establish and maintain healthy digestive system cultures."
Click here for more information about our Lifes Abundance Dog Food
Probiotics have gained much attention in the media (you know those commercials). It is said they or "direct fed microbials" can support good health.
To read more about the health and benefits associated with "good bacteria", please read a special message from Dr. Jane Bicks by clicking below.
"Our exclusive formulas contain multiple types of direct fed microbials, all of which are guaranteed to be viable after cooking so they can take up “residence” in the GALT (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue) . To protect these beneficial bacteria, we micro-encapsulate the direct fed microbials prior to cooking our foods. This process ensures that they will survive in order to establish and maintain healthy digestive system cultures."
Click here for more information about our Lifes Abundance Dog Food
Probiotics have gained much attention in the media (you know those commercials). It is said they or "direct fed microbials" can support good health.
To read more about the health and benefits associated with "good bacteria", please read a special message from Dr. Jane Bicks by clicking below.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Pet Emergency - What to Do
Dr. Sarah's tips on pet emergencies and what to do.
Not a subject we like to think about but always a good one to be prepared.
You are scared and so is your pet. Being prepared can keep you calmer and in turn keep your pet clamer.
This video will explain what can be an emergency and what to do about it. Please print a copy of our 2 documents so you have them on hand.
"Courtesy of Life's Abundance"
Keep your pet’s veterinarian and emergency 24 hour facility phone number in one place and let everyone in the family know where these numbers are.
Ger precise directions to the facility and be sure to know the route before hand and keep these with the emergency contact numbers.
Keep their medical/vaccination records with the numbers as well.
If time permits, call ahead to the facility to let them know you are coming and describe what is happening.
If your pet ate something he/she shouldn’t have bring it with you.
Drive carefully
_______________________________________
Other Tips:
Keep an inventory of the basic first aid supplies
Maintain a list of basic first aid supplies:
Wound care: gauze, non stick bandages, adhesive tape
Poisoning supplies: milk of magnesia, activated charcoal, hydrogen peroxide. Always contact your veterinarian or poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for poison.
Muzzle – do not use if your pet is vomiting
Leash
Backboard or support device (table leaf, ironing board, etc.)
Dr. Sarah: “Reasons to seek immediate care for your companion animal include:”
-profuse, bloody diarrhea or continuous vomiting
-abdominal swelling, restless behavior or retching (especially in large breed dogs)
-an inability to urinate (any species)
-consumption of poison, such as rat bait or antifreeze
-trauma, such as a car accident or injuries sustained from another animal (like a deep bite wound, etc.)
-breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, extending head or neck to breathe, or wheezing
-seizures, convulsions or fainting
-eye problems, such as foreign objects in the eye, loss of vision, squinting or sudden appearance of cloudiness in the eye
Stay Calm and Don’t Panic
If you would like you can print a copy to keep on hand by clicking here for Pet Emergency Tips as well as Your Pet - Signs of Shock, Requires Immediate Vet Care
Not a subject we like to think about but always a good one to be prepared.
You are scared and so is your pet. Being prepared can keep you calmer and in turn keep your pet clamer.
This video will explain what can be an emergency and what to do about it. Please print a copy of our 2 documents so you have them on hand.
"Courtesy of Life's Abundance"
Keep your pet’s veterinarian and emergency 24 hour facility phone number in one place and let everyone in the family know where these numbers are.
Ger precise directions to the facility and be sure to know the route before hand and keep these with the emergency contact numbers.
Keep their medical/vaccination records with the numbers as well.
If time permits, call ahead to the facility to let them know you are coming and describe what is happening.
If your pet ate something he/she shouldn’t have bring it with you.
Drive carefully
_______________________________________
Other Tips:
Keep an inventory of the basic first aid supplies
Maintain a list of basic first aid supplies:
Wound care: gauze, non stick bandages, adhesive tape
Poisoning supplies: milk of magnesia, activated charcoal, hydrogen peroxide. Always contact your veterinarian or poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for poison.
Muzzle – do not use if your pet is vomiting
Leash
Backboard or support device (table leaf, ironing board, etc.)
Dr. Sarah: “Reasons to seek immediate care for your companion animal include:”
-profuse, bloody diarrhea or continuous vomiting
-abdominal swelling, restless behavior or retching (especially in large breed dogs)
-an inability to urinate (any species)
-consumption of poison, such as rat bait or antifreeze
-trauma, such as a car accident or injuries sustained from another animal (like a deep bite wound, etc.)
-breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, extending head or neck to breathe, or wheezing
-seizures, convulsions or fainting
-eye problems, such as foreign objects in the eye, loss of vision, squinting or sudden appearance of cloudiness in the eye
Stay Calm and Don’t Panic
If you would like you can print a copy to keep on hand by clicking here for Pet Emergency Tips as well as Your Pet - Signs of Shock, Requires Immediate Vet Care
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Expansion on Nature's Variety Pet Food Recall
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm203612.htm
Click the FDA link above for full details. We like to post all pet products recalled by companies.
From the FDA Recall News:
"Nature's Variety Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall to Include All Raw Frozen Chicken Diets with Any "Best If Used By" Date On or Before 2/5/11
Contact:
Jeff Dezen/JDPR
864/233/3766 ext. 11
jeffd@jdpr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Lincoln, NE, March 8, 2010 – Nature's Variety has expanded its voluntary recall of Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats to include the "Best If Used By" dates of 10/29/10 and 11/9/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, or vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever, or abdominal pain. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products and is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The recall includes the following products with a "Best If Used By" date of 10/29/10 or 11/9/10:
UPC#7 69949 60131 9 – Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs
In an abundance of caution, Nature's Variety has also chosen to expand this voluntary recall to include all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11. Nature's Variety has elected to clear the market of raw frozen chicken diets as it implements a state-of-the-art new food safety process called High Pressure Pasteurization for use on all Nature's Variety Raw Frozen Diets.
The products included in the expanded recall are any Chicken Formula or Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with a "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11, including:
UPC#7 69949 60131 9 – Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs
UPC#7 69949 50121 3 – Chicken Formula 12 lb case of chubs
UPC#7 69949 60137 1 – Organic Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60127 2 – Organic Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
The "Best If Used By" date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions. The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and Canada.
No other Raw Frozen Diets are involved in this expansion other than chicken, and no other Nature's Variety products are involved.
Nature's Variety now uses High Pressure Pasteurization on their Raw Frozen Diets as a unique process to kill pathogenic bacteria through high-pressure, water-based technology. Having incorporated this state-of-the-art technology on a portion of their raw product offerings in late 2009, Nature's Variety was able to confidently implement the process universally on all Raw Frozen Diets after the 2/11/10 recall in order to enhance food safety. Nature's Variety also utilizes a test and hold protocol to ensure that all High Pressure Pasteurized Raw Frozen Diets test negative for harmful bacteria before being released for sale.
"Nature's Variety believes replacing all raw frozen chicken products on the market with new raw frozen chicken products that use High Pressure Pasteurization is an important and responsible step in order to reinforce consumer confidence and trust," stated Reed Howlett, CEO of Nature's Variety. "By recalling all raw frozen chicken products with ‘Best If Used By' dates on or before 2/5/11, we can provide our pet parents with new raw frozen chicken products that have been processed through High Pressure Pasteurization. Adopting High Pressure Pasteurization is an important step to ensure that our products meet the strictest quality and food safety standards."
Howlett stated, "Our commitment to consumers in the future is the same as it's been in the past – to offer Raw Frozen Diets made from the highest quality ingredients, made in our own plant in the Midwest, by people who care deeply about pet nutrition, health, and happiness."
If you are a consumer and have purchased one of these products, please return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or replacement. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.
Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature's Variety dedicated Customer Care line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-374-3142. For additional resources about High Pressure Pasteurization or other Nature's Variety food safety protocols, visit www.naturesvariety.com.
About Nature's Variety
Nature's Variety specializes in natural, holistic dog and cat food. The line of premium products was developed by families who have been practicing sustainable agriculture for more than 140 years, raising quality livestock and growing crops in America's heartland. Nature's Variety offers the purest forms of pet nutrition – including a wide variety of protein choices in every pet food form (raw frozen diets, dry kibble diets, canned diets, and treats). For more information about Nature's Variety, visit http://www.naturesvariety.com/. "
______________________________________________________________________________
Click the FDA link above for full details. We like to post all pet products recalled by companies.
From the FDA Recall News:
"Nature's Variety Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall to Include All Raw Frozen Chicken Diets with Any "Best If Used By" Date On or Before 2/5/11
Contact:
Jeff Dezen/JDPR
864/233/3766 ext. 11
jeffd@jdpr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Lincoln, NE, March 8, 2010 – Nature's Variety has expanded its voluntary recall of Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats to include the "Best If Used By" dates of 10/29/10 and 11/9/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, or vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever, or abdominal pain. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products and is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The recall includes the following products with a "Best If Used By" date of 10/29/10 or 11/9/10:
UPC#7 69949 60131 9 – Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs
In an abundance of caution, Nature's Variety has also chosen to expand this voluntary recall to include all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11. Nature's Variety has elected to clear the market of raw frozen chicken diets as it implements a state-of-the-art new food safety process called High Pressure Pasteurization for use on all Nature's Variety Raw Frozen Diets.
The products included in the expanded recall are any Chicken Formula or Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with a "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11, including:
UPC#7 69949 60131 9 – Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs
UPC#7 69949 50121 3 – Chicken Formula 12 lb case of chubs
UPC#7 69949 60137 1 – Organic Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60127 2 – Organic Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
The "Best If Used By" date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions. The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and Canada.
No other Raw Frozen Diets are involved in this expansion other than chicken, and no other Nature's Variety products are involved.
Nature's Variety now uses High Pressure Pasteurization on their Raw Frozen Diets as a unique process to kill pathogenic bacteria through high-pressure, water-based technology. Having incorporated this state-of-the-art technology on a portion of their raw product offerings in late 2009, Nature's Variety was able to confidently implement the process universally on all Raw Frozen Diets after the 2/11/10 recall in order to enhance food safety. Nature's Variety also utilizes a test and hold protocol to ensure that all High Pressure Pasteurized Raw Frozen Diets test negative for harmful bacteria before being released for sale.
"Nature's Variety believes replacing all raw frozen chicken products on the market with new raw frozen chicken products that use High Pressure Pasteurization is an important and responsible step in order to reinforce consumer confidence and trust," stated Reed Howlett, CEO of Nature's Variety. "By recalling all raw frozen chicken products with ‘Best If Used By' dates on or before 2/5/11, we can provide our pet parents with new raw frozen chicken products that have been processed through High Pressure Pasteurization. Adopting High Pressure Pasteurization is an important step to ensure that our products meet the strictest quality and food safety standards."
Howlett stated, "Our commitment to consumers in the future is the same as it's been in the past – to offer Raw Frozen Diets made from the highest quality ingredients, made in our own plant in the Midwest, by people who care deeply about pet nutrition, health, and happiness."
If you are a consumer and have purchased one of these products, please return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or replacement. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.
Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature's Variety dedicated Customer Care line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-374-3142. For additional resources about High Pressure Pasteurization or other Nature's Variety food safety protocols, visit www.naturesvariety.com.
About Nature's Variety
Nature's Variety specializes in natural, holistic dog and cat food. The line of premium products was developed by families who have been practicing sustainable agriculture for more than 140 years, raising quality livestock and growing crops in America's heartland. Nature's Variety offers the purest forms of pet nutrition – including a wide variety of protein choices in every pet food form (raw frozen diets, dry kibble diets, canned diets, and treats). For more information about Nature's Variety, visit http://www.naturesvariety.com/. "
______________________________________________________________________________
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